Contestants, fans find much to experience at MGM

LAS VEGAS – There’s a reason cowboys are finding their way to the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino every day of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.

The MGM Grand is the Home of Champions, and the resort is playing a big-time host to ProRodeo’s biggest names. Not only that, but the resort is offering unheard of amenities to guests in town for the rodeo and those just wanting to be part of the hottest place on The Strip during rodeo’s championship event.

Trevor Brazile is a veteran of the game and the record-holder for most all-around world titles in Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association history. In fact, he just clinched his ninth all-around title – his 16th world championship overall – during Sunday afternoon’s fourth go-round. The MGM Grand is home to Brazile and his family during their stay in the City of Lights, just as it has been for years.

“The MGM is great, and the people there really make you comfortable,” said Brazile, of Decatur, Texas.

As the 10 days of competition continues at the Thomas & Mack Center, the festivities at the MGM Grand continue to grow. The NRS Shopping Experience began Sunday at the Marquee Ballroom and will take place daily from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. for the duration of ProRodeo’s championship event.

“It’s really fun for all who come, because it’s different than so many of the big shopping experiences all over town during the NFR,” one shopper said Sunday afternoon. “There’s different stuff than the other trade shows, some unique gifts.

“Probably what I liked most is that it was more spread out and not so cramped. It gave me plenty of room to shop.”

That turned out to be a nice benefit for the shopper, also a guest at one of the MGM Grand properties.

“I’d been to several other trade shows, and the NRS was the best experience I had,” she said. “It offered something for everyone, from cool trailers and trucks, to roping things for the guys to cute jewelry and clothes for the girls. I hope the MGM keeps this up.”

Of course, the MGM Grand is known for being a great host to some of the greatest events to hit Las Vegas, and Monday’s American Country Awards will be presented live on Fox from the MGM Grand Garden Arena beginning at 8 p.m. Easter, 5 p.m. Pacific. It’s hosted by Trace Adkins and Kristin Chenoweth, the only awards show that gives fans the chance to vote on their favorite artists.

With it’s proximity to the NFR action at the Thomas & Mack Center, the MGM Grand has become the place to be with the best After Party in Las Vegas. For those who don’t have tickets to rodeo’s Grand Finale, the Hollywood Theatre will have a live feed (doors open at 5:30 p.m. Pacific), but the big celebration kicks off at 9 p.m. at the Gold Buckle Zone. Live music from Annabelle Road and Western Justice and plenty of other exciting things await those who want to celebrate with the top cowboys and cowgirls in the game.

The MGM Grand is host to the Miss Rodeo America pageant, which has a number of activities taking place all week long. The pageant’s fashion show will begin at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Hollywood Theatre. All the MGM contestants – including Brazile and other world champions like bull riders J.W. Harris and Wesley Silcox; bareback riders Will Lowe and Bobby Mote; barrel racers Lindsay Sears and Brittany Pozzi and many more that are part of this year’s championship – will be available during an autograph session beginning at 2 p.m. Thursday.

The festivities will wrap Saturday, Dec. 10, with the official Trevor Brazile After-Party, with a performance by the Eli Young Band at the Gold Buckle Zone.

“The MGM is a great location, not just for the NFR but because it’s right off the strip,” said Jason Miller, the 2007 world champion steer wrestler who has won $49,000 in just four days of competition. “If you need anything, it’s right there at the MGM.”